What to do with 2.4T CIS engine?

DDS · 12-08-2002, 04:37 AM

Hello Gentlemen - I hope you can help.

I have the opportunity to get my hands on a 2.4T motor with the CIS removed and evidence of oil fouling the plugs. I would be trading a pile 'o parts for this engine and would get it complete but for the induction. I've pored over Anderson's book for references and he really only discusses the 2.4 S, with its more radical cams, same size valves but larger ports. Ideally, I'd like it to be reliable and 175-200hp, and want to do it as inexpensively as possible. This will be for my eternal 914/6conversion-GT project.
What would a 2.4T long block (incl distributor) in need of at least a top end rebuild be worth?
Many thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Dave

marcesq · marcesq's Garage

Dave:

How much is the pile of parts worth?? Any idea how many miles on the 2.4 (total)??

The HP is achievable, but at a cost that may warrent looking at other options, depending on what the bottom end looks like when the heads are pulled.

Sorry not much help, but maybe a thought.

DDS · 12-08-2002, 06:04 AM

Thanks Marcesq, any help at all is appreciated.

We haven't yet nailed down a deal, but I'd guess that I could sell what I have for $500-600 with some effort. The engine incudes a new gasket set. The only thing I know about the engine is that it was taken from a running car and that the guy who sold it to its current owner apparently intended just to 'freshen up' the top end and re-install it. Just words really.

What can you do the check the bottom end once the heads/cyls are off if the cases aren't split?

At what point do the small ports become a bottleneck?

dtw · 12-08-2002, 11:40 AM

You can check the rod bearings informally by standing a rod up and judging the way it falls over. It should not immediately just fall over, it should slowly gather speed and then drop. Shows that the bearings are snug and there is an oil film providing some tension. Also wiggle the rods from the front to back of the case (ie, not in their normal direction of travel). There shouldn't be any noticeable play.

72.5 T is not a great place to start for economical HP. To get anywhere you've got to ditch the CIS cams and pistons, and come up with new induction...$$$ (and that's before considering a displacement increase).

zuffenhausen is looking for one of those narrow spigot cases and might have a 2.7 motor to trade. Why don't you PM him.

-dtw

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

The 1973 1/2 T engine case is a highly sought-after case. Why? Because it's a 7R case, which means it's the strongest mag case available, with the 2.4 sized cylinder spigots. This case is covetted by racers who want light magnesium, and are running in a certain 2.4 restricted class. Do not bore this case out to 2.7L, as those cases are a dime a dozen. If need be, this case alone is worth about $500 (saw one on eBay sell for that much a few weeks ago).

-Wayne

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

It would be a great upgrade motor for a VW!

DDS · 12-08-2002, 01:37 PM

Thanks all. I guess what's being said is its best to leave it alone but for carbs and cam, or swap it for another. I really appreciate the help.

Wideboy: It might be a good upgrade for my 914, but with stock hp it is no real improvement over my built Type 4 VW/914, though the cost is of course vastly higher and it's heavier.

dtw: Induction$$ I've been toying with the idea of using stock Bosch injection hard parts and going to a Megasquirt DIY EFI brain. ($150 and assemble it yourself. Uses a cheap GM MPS, (Gasp!) and can be programmed to run with longer duration cams) Might try this on a Gordini (gasp! a Renault motor) for the Lotus, or my stock 914 motor if I elect to wait for a better six. It would be interesting to experiment with it on a porsche six (Gasp and faint.) as well.

Wayne: thanks for the heads up. I'd probably have been looking for 2.7 or 2.8 bits at Hershey.

Book ready soon?

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

The 73.5T motor would make a great starting point for a rally style motor. You'd have to replace the pistons and cams to S spec and add some carbs but you could leave the ports at their present size. This will cost top end HP but the motor will have great torque in the lower range. It all depends on what use you want to put the motor to.

Bobby